Antarctica

TRAVELLING TO Antarctica

Travelling to Antarctica from the U.S. can be achieved a few ways, either by travelling to South America or Australia/ New Zealand.

The most popular and affordable Antarctic journey is to fly to South America

Where: The southernmost city of the world, Ushuaia, in Argentina is the major thoroughfare for Antarctic cruises. From here you can visit the Antarctic Peninsula as well as the sub Antarctic islands such as South Georgia and the Falkland islands on your Antarctic cruise. A cruise will take anywhere from 10 to 21 days when leaving from Ushuaia, if crossing directly to the peninsula you can be there in as soon as one and a half to two days.

Punta Arenas in Chile is also a gateway for cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula, here travellers may take a flight to the South Shetland islands to board their vessel, though more expensive, this is perfect for those wishing to cruise in Antarctica but avoid the drake passage.

What’s is like: The Antarctic Peninsula is the most popular due to accessibility and for the plethora of wildlife found. The coast offers a dramatic mountainous backdrop being an extension of the Andes Mountain range. The entire region including the sub Antarctic Islands is home to incredible history including Shackleton’s epic journey of survival.

Getting there: LATAM, American Airlines, Delta, US Airways and Korean Air operate direct flights to Santiago from one or all of the following cities: Atlanta, Dallas, New York, and Miami. Direct flights to Buenos Aires are operated by, Aerolineas Argentinas, LATAM, American Airlines, United and Delta from Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, Washington D.C and Miami. From Santiago and Buenos Aires, connections can be made through to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas.

Australia and New Zealand themselves also act as gateways to the lesser frequented East Antarctica

Where? Leaving from New Zealand (Invercargill or Bluff) or Australia (Hobart) or it will take about seven days to arrive to the white continent, which can be broken up by visits to Macquarie, Snares, Auckland and Campbell Islands, all rich in wildlife and nature. Once having arrived to Antarctica, you will spend time around Commonwealth Bay or the Ross Sea region.

What is it like: A cruise to Antarctica from Australia and New Zealand offers the opportunity to witness the immense natural landscapes and seascapes of this incredibly remote yet ruggedly beautiful part of Antarctica and the best chance to see emperor and King Penguins. Steeped in history, East Antarctica is where the explorers Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen gained fame with their expeditions to be the first to reach the South Pole. This part of Antarctica is also home to New Zealand’s Scott Base and if conditions and itinerary allow Scott Base can be visited as part of one of these expeditions.

Getting there: Direct flights are available to Sydney from, Dallas on Qantas, Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines or Jetstar, Los Angeles on Delta, Qantas or United, and San Francisco on United. From Sydney you would take a short domestic connection to Hobart. If travelling from New Zealand, first fly to Auckland or Wellington and then connect domestically to Invercargill. Air New Zealand and American Airlines operate direct flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Auckland.

More information: to help you decide where you want to visit, click on the trips below and start dreaming about your Antarctic cruise. For cruises from Australia and New Zealand only click here.

Still wondering?Contact us: and we will walk you through the whole process, answer all your questions and find the very best package, including flights, cruise and extra sightseeing to suit your needs.

Travelling to Antarctica from the U.S. can be achieved a few ways, either by travelling to South America or Australia/ New Zealand.

The most popular and affordable Antarctic journey is to fly to South America

Where: The southernmost city of the world, Ushuaia, in Argentina is the major thoroughfare for Antarctic cruises. From here you can visit the Antarctic Peninsula as well as the sub Antarctic islands such as South Georgia and the Falkland islands on your Antarctic cruise. A cruise will take anywhere from 10 to 21 days when leaving from Ushuaia, if crossing directly to the peninsula you can be there in as soon as one and a half to two days.

Punta Arenas in Chile is also a gateway for cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula, here travellers may take a flight to the South Shetland islands to board their vessel, though more expensive, this is perfect for those wishing to cruise in Antarctica but avoid the drake passage.

What’s is like: The Antarctic Peninsula is the most popular due to accessibility and for the plethora of wildlife found. The coast offers a dramatic mountainous backdrop being an extension of the Andes Mountain range. The entire region including the sub Antarctic Islands is home to incredible history including Shackleton’s epic journey of survival.

Getting there: LATAM, American Airlines, Delta, US Airways and Korean Air operate direct flights to Santiago from one or all of the following cities: Atlanta, Dallas, New York, and Miami. Direct flights to Buenos Aires are operated by, Aerolineas Argentinas, LATAM, American Airlines, United and Delta from Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, Washington D.C and Miami. From Santiago and Buenos Aires, connections can be made through to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas.

Australia and New Zealand themselves also act as gateways to the lesser frequented East Antarctica

Where? Leaving from New Zealand (Invercargill or Bluff) or Australia (Hobart) or it will take about seven days to arrive to the white continent, which can be broken up by visits to Macquarie, Snares, Auckland and Campbell Islands, all rich in wildlife and nature. Once having arrived to Antarctica, you will spend time around Commonwealth Bay or the Ross Sea region.

What is it like: A cruise to Antarctica from Australia and New Zealand offers the opportunity to witness the immense natural landscapes and seascapes of this incredibly remote yet ruggedly beautiful part of Antarctica and the best chance to see emperor and King Penguins. Steeped in history, East Antarctica is where the explorers Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen gained fame with their expeditions to be the first to reach the South Pole. This part of Antarctica is also home to New Zealand’s Scott Base and if conditions and itinerary allow Scott Base can be visited as part of one of these expeditions.

Getting there: Direct flights are available to Sydney from, Dallas on Qantas, Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines or Jetstar, Los Angeles on Delta, Qantas or United, and San Francisco on United. From Sydney you would take a short domestic connection to Hobart. If travelling from New Zealand, first fly to Auckland or Wellington and then connect domestically to Invercargill. Air New Zealand and American Airlines operate direct flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Auckland.

More information: to help you decide where you want to visit, click on the trips below and start dreaming about your Antarctic cruise. For cruises from Australia and New Zealand only click here.

Still wondering?Contact us: and we will walk you through the whole process, answer all your questions and find the very best package, including flights, cruise and extra sightseeing to suit your needs.

WHY TRAVEL WITH CHIMU ADVENTURES

We are true Polar specialists. Almost every Chimu team member has travelled to either Antarctica or the Arctic and collectively we have experienced over 50 expeditions.

You can choose from over 130 cruises to Antarctica and the Arctic,including itineraries aboard our own charter vessels.

We have inspected and continue to thoroughly research each individual vessel we work with, selecting only those with environmental, safety and value credentials.

We know all things Polar by heart and will work with you to determine which ship and itinerary is best suited to your needs.

Travellers visit the Polar regions for different reasons so whether your interests are wildlife or photography, or Antarctic activities such as snowshoeing and kayaking, we can work around you for the perfect trip.

From your initial enquiry until your trip ends, you will be assigned a personal Destination Specialist who will offer a full service for your travel needs: we can book flights, insurance and any ancillary travel required to complete your journey.

BLOGS ON Antarctica

Whether you are looking for advice on when to travel to Antarctica or the Arctic, which ship to travel on or which itinerary will suit you best, Chimu blogs are likely to have it covered. The range of topics is vast, with new and fascinating blogs being added regularly. There is ship information, guides about the activities you can do in the Polar regions, what to pack and what not to pack, and even blogs on various Polar explorers!

Antarctica REVIEWS

All Chimu Adventures' clients are given the opportunity to review their trip once they return home. These reviews are administered by a third party and as such are unfiltered by Chimu Adventures.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Karl from
A trip out of this world10 days trip to Antarctic Peninsular. A bit shaky across the Drake Passage, as was expected, otherwise a beautiful sailing between the islands and icebergs. Lots of landings to see the native inhabitants with hundreds of Penguins, also Wales, Seals, Birds and Orcas. The staff on board were terrific and so helpful. The food was enough with a good breakfast and two 3 coarse meals (lunch and dinner) with fruit and afternoon snacks available. The cooking was a bit plain at times but still eatable. All in all, a terrific trip, quiet unforgettable.

Date published: 2015-02-11

Rated 5 out of
5 by
robert from
The Antactic. A once in a lifetime experience.All pickups and tours organised by Chimu were on time and well organised. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for LAN Airlines. Only 2 of our flights were on time. One flight was double booked, causing problems catching a connecting flight. On another occasion the aircraft needed to be unloaded and changed and this particular flight was the one taking us to Ushuaia to meet the boat.
However the trip to the Antarctic made up for all LAN,s failings. The ships crew and expedition staff were extremely helpful, professional and very knowledgable and ensured safety of passengers at all times. Nothing was a problem.
The scenery and wildlife can only be described a spectacular. It is impossible to take a bad photograph.

Date published: 2016-04-14

Rated 5 out of
5 by
CFos from
Amazing trip for a first time overseas travellerThe whole trip from start to finish was well organised. Every transfer was on time and the staff on the MV Ushuaia were all skilled and willing to assist in any way possible to ensure our trip was the best it could be. The food that came out of the small galley was well prepared and fresh. Vegetarians were also well looked after. There was only one choice for each meal, but this is to be expected with limited supplies able to be carried on board.
I'm still trying to find the right words to explain Antarctica itself. It embodies the true meaning of "awesome" as we were truly in awe of the pristine beauty & wildness.

Date published: 2015-02-16

Rated 5 out of
5 by
CowboyJoe from
IncredibleJust returned from an amazing trip with Chimu to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands. We were due to visit South Georgia however with some bad luck for one of our fellow passengers and some bad weather to boot we did miss this part sadly.
We saw an incredible array of wildlife, and I feel the trip was well handled. We had some wonderful weather and the guides onboard the sea spirit were first class. The mood on board did turn a bit sour when it was seen that we would miss South Georgia, but our trip leader Chad Carey (a Chimu director) handled it wonderfully. The trip was billed as expedition and indeed it was from the outset! I have travelled enough to know things don’t always go your way, and I will travel with you again anytime! See you in the Arctic next year!

Date published: 2018-04-11

Rated 2 out of
5 by
Rebecca from
Disappointed with Chimu and Oceanwide M/V PlanciusANTARCTICA CHIMU ADVENTURES /OCEANWIDE EXPEDITIONS REVIEW
Antarctica will never disappoint and that’s clear from the moment you being your voyage. HOW you get there and WHO facilitates your journey is a massive decision and, unfortunately, I think that Chimu and Oceanwide fell well short of reasonable expectations throughout the trip.
The booking process was fairly straight forward in that I had already done so much research that I didn’t need to spend a lot of time with them going back and forth about ships, cabins, budgets, etc. The “Basecamp” cruise sounded intriguing and I, foolishly, didn’t ask a lot of questions BUT they also didn’t offer a lot of information beyond the basic information. I’d like to think that Chimu would not sell this cruise based on my comments, later in this document, because the cruise itself was so poor that they should be weary of referring clients.
Overall, Chimu do not provide any real level of nuanced customer service. They sign you up and take the money. Other guests on the same cruise were sent hats, packing cubes, customized fleece, etc. – not with Chimu. There is no “we’re happy to have you as a client and want repeat business” attitude with Chimu. I asked about Patagonia extensions, etc. and those questions were never met.
Apparently you can go and select your cabin on a website- again this was never articulated by Chimu nor was I ever asked where I’d like to be located within my cabin category.
The bare bones nature of this cruise (again captured in this document) was never expressed and that was hugely disappointing and frustrating. Having to drop my luggage (vs. the ship picking from the hotel), loading and unloading kayaks, packing and drying the ship’s camping kit, etc. were all elements that should have been fully revealed. I did not sign up for nor did I pay for a “DIY” cruise but that’s exactly what I got and I hold Chimu wholly responsible for that as it’s their job to know the details of every package they sell.
The ship is older (and I knew that) but older doesn’t have to mean worn down and tatty. I read online that the food was “good” and ample – nothing extraordinary and that was fine with me. I knew I was sacrificing the “sexy” part of a cruise by not booking with Heb Sky and/or Ocean Diamond (for example) in exchange for some activities and more time on shore but by no means was I prepared for the wholly poor food served—(and if you’re a vegetarian or vegan you should forget this cruise and cruise line entirely). Overboiled vegetables (the same ones over and over again) and overcooked meat do not begin to address the unlimited culinary choices in today’s food market. This cruise is “physical” and demanding to an extent and lunch will almost never address the high caloric protein-centric intake (not just carbs/sugar) that one would expect.
Ocean Diamond and Heb Sky are slightly more expensive ships – and I knew that – but if I knew that paying an addiitonal $1500US was going to exponentially improve my experience beyond activities I would have never booked Plancius.
The crew are worn thin and haggard on this cruise. The expedition guides, save for just two or three, are not professional guides in that they were almost all on the cruise on their own “working holidays” to get a chance to come to Antarctica and that meant that their lack of professional, cruise guiding experience became a very glaring component to all days as they simply do not have the skills to communicate, direct, and engage guests. They often kept to themselves, rather than socialize with the guests which is very strange, and were, at times, understandably grouchy. Again, this was another area where this cruise felt very “bare bones”—woefully understaffed and the guides that were on board lacked experience and that was palpable from the on-shore experience to even their very dismal presentations.
An excerpt from my trip report states, “Crew could have been much more informative – I found that the briefings once on shore
were limited if not totally nonexistent. When you get off the zodiac, you are told where to walk and what to see and that’s about it. It would have been really great if there had
been a “walking tour” of each site and if you were notified by the crew if there was
anything of interest to see (chicks, whale bones, seals, etc.). I found myself
overhearing most of the information I wanted or needed from one of the crew walkie
talkies – so imagine if you’re not listening, don’t speak English, or didn’t know to listen to
“walkie chatter”. It really felt as though these guides didn’t know how to be with guests
beyond their specialty – so if you’re the mountaineering guide, you don’t actually have
the skills to guide people on shore, etc. – you only speak mountaineering. And that
would be okay if there were other crew for the onshore part of the journey. But they
don’t and/or aren’t paying attention as they all have their own personal agendas (some
expedition crew were very busy with their cameras and not paying attention to guests).
The expedition crew are friendly but they lack fundamental people skills and experience
and it’s palpable on the cruise.
There were multiple moments missed because this crew didn’t communicate properly –
we all missed wildlife, whale bones, etc. because they simply didn’t know how to
communicate, want to communicate or apparently don’t have the crew numbers to
make that communication meaningful and that is my biggest complaint of this cruise and
I’ll keep going back to it – it’s woefully understaffed. You will get no personal attention
to detail and you will miss many things because they were not communicated in a way
that works for tourists standing on shore of an island. And this is the massive departure
between this cruise and what I imagine a Nat Geo (or other more expensive cruise) to
be and it’s a massive learning curve. I did not understand that “older ship and perhaps
a bit less luxurious” meant that they would skimp on the crew – but they did. This
cruise, I would estimate, runs at an enormous margin as a lot, if not all, of the expedition
crew were on their own holiday and “working the trip” to get to Antarctica and you can
feel it in the way they do their work, relate to guests, etc. – they are not professional
cruise guides. Quite a few have their own companies and they took the work, absent
any real pay, to gain experience to further their own businesses which doesn’t sit well
with me – I felt like I was “investing” in someone else’s future earnings.”
New Headings were an excellent company for gear rental and I would never purchase the same items I could rent from them in the future.
In all, any company can take your money and place a booking – or you can just go direct to the company that controls the ship in this case with Oceanwide. But a true travel company/agent/consultant invests time to make sure that you are fully aware of all facets of a package before you commit – Chimu in no way met that standard.
This cruise feels like a money earner – crew come and work for free, the rest of the crew no doubt work for bare wages, and guests “chip in” to make activities happen. The food is below average and the ship is poorly maintained so much so that even the linens and pillows are in dire need of replacing. This is Oceanwide’s “money maker” and you’ll feel it every day.
Rebecca Chandler
M/V Plancius 18-29 December 2017

Date published: 2018-01-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Owen from
Voyage of a lifetimeThis journey was exceptional. All that was arranged just fell into place. Hotel accommodation went smoothly and location perfect. The voyage itself was exceptional from the friendliness and professionalism of the crew to the ships accommodation and facilities, the expedition itinerary could not be faulted. I would highly recommend the MS Expedition and will sail with them again.Also I will not hesitate to use Chimu Adventure for future travel

Date published: 2015-03-20

Rated 5 out of
5 by
none from
Fab kayakingThis was not my choice of holiday, but it has been on my husband's shortlist since he was a boy. He had a great time. It was pretty much as I expected and planned for, but the kayaking was fabulous. I might have gone stir crazy without the opportunity to get away from the crowd and to be almost alone in tne splendour. The trip cost a lot of money, but it was extremely well planned and run, and not expensive. Please not that gender is a social construct and not a biological fact.

Date published: 2015-02-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Brian52 from
Antarctic Peninsular - what a trip!!Absolutely the best holiday I've experienced in my life. The company was G-Adventures, their vessel was the G-Explorer, only 130-odd passengers on board, the food was excellent, the crew were absolutely exceptional, and the four places we visited on the Peninsular were breathtaking!! We saw penguins and their colonies up close, saw various seals, an occasional whale breaching, and took a Polar Plunge (not mandatory) into the icy waters - with photos as proof!!
If you have the Antarctic Peninsular on your bucket list, then go with G-Adventures (organised through Chimu). In my humble opinion, you won't be disappointed!

Date published: 2019-02-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
LondonJohn from
Simply Incredible AntarcticaAntarctica has been on my bucket list for decades, and I decided early last year that it was time for me to to take the plunge and go on this incredible journey. Having recently lost my wife to cancer, I was thrilled to see this trip with Chimu Adventures raising money for Breast Cancer care. After looking at several companies and many different ships, I called up Chimu and received incredible service from the word go. Nothing was too much effort and the whole process was made very easy. I undertook a 4 week trip with Chimu Adventures including a side visit to Peru and Argentina. Everything was faultless. Antarctica was the crowning glory - simply majestic. I cannot put into words the impact it had on me. Thank you Chimu for a wonderful voyage superbly hosted by Greg Carter. I'll be back when I save some more pennies!

Date published: 2016-07-24

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Mumma Deb from
epic antarcticaThis was the best group tour I have EVER been on. From contact with Staff at Chimu at time of booking to leaving the ship in Ushuaia at the end of our Journey. I travelled on the MV Ushuaia and ALL the Staff and Crew went 'above and beyond' in making sure everyone had the best time possible. Their commitment to customer service is immeasurable and the Expedition Leaders knowledge, insight and love of Antarctica supported their passion for this wondrous land. This is a journey that will stay with me forever! Thank You, Chimu

Date published: 2017-05-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anita from
Once in a LifetimeBest adventure ever! The staff were incredible, so helpful and knowledgeable, they went beyond expectations to make our cruise one in a million. Polar Pioneer was the perfect size for what was needed to cruise into the Antarctic Circle. We even did the Polar Plunge and have the T-shirt and certificate to prove it. The BBQ out on deck with Mulled Wine was great fun. Food was plentiful and tasty.

Date published: 2016-03-14

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Carol49 from
Trip of a Life TimeFrom departure to arriving back home everything Chimu Adventures organised for us ran like clockwork.
The Antarctic was fantastic. So quiet! The ship, crew and meals can not be faulted and we managed two landing per day whilst in the area.

Date published: 2016-04-23

Rated 2 out of
5 by
Faye from
Terrible organisation and communicationAntarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands were set to be a once in a lifetime experience everyone on board was excited to set off, even with a weather delay. However it soon became apparent that the itinerary we had been provided by Chimu did not match what we would be doing. When we were presented with the "plan B" itinerary onboard there was confusion as we were leaving antarctica earlier than indicated and had less time on South Georgia than expected. This appeared to be down to a lack of sea days in the itinerary, making the itinerary provided impossible or at best misleading.
The chimu representative onboard did not communicate with the group effectively and was very dismisive of passangers concerns.

Date published: 2018-04-28

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Janet from
Antarctica with G AdventuresG Adventures run ship MS Expedition. All run very smoothly, excellent attention to detail. Flexible destinations regarding weather conditions. Very good attention to environmental issues. Food too rich, could have had less stodgy desserts and meat was always very rare (ie raw); even vegetables were cooked in a stodgy sauce. However always fresh salad and fruit available.

Date published: 2015-02-11

Rated 5 out of
5 by
IntrepidTraveller87 from
Fabulous trip from start to finish!I sailed with GAdventures on the MS Expedition from Montevideo to the Falklands, then to South Georgia and on to the Antarctic Peninsula. It was a wonderful trip. I had high expectations, and they were not just met, but exceeded in every regard. The expedition team were experts in their fields, and their enthusiasm was evident throughout our amazing journey.

Date published: 2015-01-08

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Huldrekall from
Greatest vacation so farWe lost one day becouse one of ships engine was broken, so embark was delayed fo 24h, but we get refund, one night at hotel and some trips during those 24h. otherwise tour was excellent. CEO changed intinerary plan so we headed to polar circle first to be sure we can go through in time. if something didnt match itinerary, it was only becouse of weather or danger. Crew and CEO was group of fantastic people and thansk to them, this trip was double so awsome :)

Date published: 2015-02-27

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Penguin from
Beyond wordsThe most amazing trip from beginning to end. Chimu did a great job of helping me plan my trip & were available with advice & information. The ship (Akademik Ioffe) was fantastic,the One Ocean expedition team were so helpful & knowledgable as well as fun, the ships crew did a fantastic job, & even the weather was perfect!! Everything went smoothly, & the wildlife & scenery was astonishing, so beautiful.

Date published: 2015-12-16

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Corinne from
Best trip ever!The expedition crew did everything they could to organise landings In a variety of settings and were able to adapt their plans due to any changes in weather. The expedition crew were very knowledgable and all the ships staff were fantastic. We crossed the Antarctic circle and went the furthest south the ship had been thanks to the great skills of the captain. I loved this trip! Penguins, seals, orca whales, wildlife in abundance!!

Date published: 2016-03-11

Rated 5 out of
5 by
MsAliR from
More than I could have hopedEverything about the trip was fantastic. I have no complaints whatsoever. I would recommend the Sea Adventurer as a perfect ship for adventure/expedition travel because of the two public decks surrounding the ship.

Date published: 2015-12-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Ev2Hv from
Absolutely Awesome!We had a wonderful expedition to Antarctica - but have to add that the weather was perfect which made the entire trip ideal. The Drake Passage crossing (both ways) was without incident (noted as the Drake Lake). Landed nine times on the Antarctic continent, which is about the most one could expect. The MS Expedition staff (headed by John) were exceptional and the ship's crew superb. Without a doubt, a trip of a lifetime!!

Date published: 2015-02-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jeannie from
AntarcticaThe entire trip was wonderful. It was a joy to see all the different penguins, sea birds, and seals, as well as experience the walking on the ice and snow. The icebergs were spectacular, both in shape and colour.

Date published: 2014-12-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
yorkshiremarg from
Classic South Georgia and AntarcticaBrilliant holiday. Budget hotels in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia booked by Chimu were excellent. Weather not all that good but the crew of the Ushuaia were really good and did all they could so that we could have the best in landings that were possible. All travel arranged by ourselves went well and the transfers arranged by Chimu were equally good and drivers were good too! The ship is quite basic so do not expect a cruise ship!

Date published: 2015-11-24

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Elton from
Amazing adventure to the White ContinentThis was an incredible 11 day 'Images of Antarctica' adventure. Despite the Drake Passage taking it's toll on many, this trip is incredibly worthwhile, if you have the money! The weather was good about half of the time that we were in Antarctica, if it had been miserable weather the whole time it would have been disappointing (not the cruise's fault of course!), but as it was, we got to see the very best (beautiful blue skies, bright white snow and humpback whales) and maybe not quite the worst (-45 degrees with wind chill factor!). Overall I think this enhanced the experience, as we got to see Antarctica for what it really is, completely wild.
All of the staff on board were wonderful, funny and warm. I enjoyed the lectures, which gave a greater insight into what we were seeing on land.

Date published: 2016-07-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Charlie from
Trip of a lifetimeAn amazing trip from start to finish. It is hard to describe what an unbelievable place Antarctica was. I feel lucky and privileged to have visited this beautiful continent.The ship was great and the crew and the expedition team went above and beyond to ensure to was a trip to remember. A dream come true, all seven continents visited and more importantly loads of memories to last a life time
PS Meg is a legend

Date published: 2017-04-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Pradesh from
Wow !Antarctica was everything we dreamed of and more. We took part in an expedition on the MV Ushuaia, and found the ship perfect for our needs. Plenty of space onboard to see wildlife from the decks, and a very informative guide in Augustin. We hope to go back and explore South Georgia in a few years time. We hear the wildlife is even more spectacular (if possible) there!. Thanks again, and hope this review is of use!

Date published: 2014-08-30

Rated 3 out of
5 by
GreatAnarch from
Good in many ways but ultimately disappointing.I booked on the Shackleton's Antarctica trip in March 2018, intended to go to the Antarctic islands and mainland, South Georgia and the Falklands. The time at sea (about 16 days) would only have been adequate if everything had gone perfectly. However, a combination of rough weather in the landing sites on South Georgia and a medical emergency meant we lost S. Georgia completely. I would only recommend this trip if it is extended to at least 18 days. On the other hand the ship and the levels of service were immaculate, and the arrangements for meeting me at airports and the standard of the hotels booked were entirely satisfactory. There were plenty of landings at the places we did reach and the expedition staff were friendly and knowledgeable.

Date published: 2018-04-22

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Klaus from
Awesome AntarcticaThe trip to Antarctica on board the Sea Explorer was an unique experience I will never forget! The overnight stays in Buenos Aires incl. the transfers to/from the airport as well as the events to attend a Tango Show and to visit the Fireland National park were very well organised by Agnes Schneider of Chimu Adventures!

Date published: 2015-12-30

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Sophiecat from
Wonderful tripAll went according to plan and was very well organised by the staff and crew on the ship.

Date published: 2015-03-20

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Eve King from
Overwhelmed, emotional and speechlessI had 8 flights, along with picks ups, hotels, drop offs, a ship to get to - on time and tours. Every single step of the way went flawlessly, thanks to Chimu and in particular Simon who has infinite patience. I am normally an independent traveller, so found it hard to relinquish control and let Chimu sort everything out. Thanks for indulging my many queries. Perfection!

Date published: 2016-04-05

Rated 5 out of
5 by
gerry from
Quest for the Antarctic CircleFantastic Trip on the "Expedition", a great adventure, everything was well organised, destination exceeded all expectations, zodiac landings and cruises allowed spectacular sight seeing of wildlife, and the Antarctic landscapes and icebergs. Photos don do it justice, you have to experience it.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Chimu Adventures are the Antarctica specialists and an Associate Member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. We offer the largest range of vessels, an experienced, expert team of travel enthusiasts, and comprehensive, flexible itineraries, tailoring each cruise to your wishes and making your Antarctic Cruise unique and unforgettable.

All of our tours are 100% tried and tested to ensure that when you travel with us, you’re doing so in a controlled and safe environment with trained experts. We consistently monitor weather conditions and will always provide you with the best possible adventure without risk of injury to you or the vessel. While some activities may need to be rescheduled or cancelled due to weather, every effort is made to have a contingency plan should such conditions become a reality during your expeditions. We’ve been the experts in Antarctic travel for well over 10 years and use our vast experience and knowledge when picking the vessels we sell to provide you with an adventure that’s unforgettable for all the right reasons.

It is true that at times the Drake Passage can produce turbulent seas, but our vessels are built for maximum stability and comfort to ensure that even in rough conditions, sea and motion sickness are kept to a minimum at all times. We also have a host of services and facilities available should symptoms befall you. It also might be possible to fly over the Drake Passage, so speak to one of our destination specialists for more information about this.

We pride ourselves on our customisable range of Antarctica tours that allow you to tailor the perfect Antarctic experience for your own goals and wishes. We also offer a wide range of tours to suit a diverse array of budgets, from 6 day express cruises, to 35 day expeditions. Speak to one of our consultants who can help you plan your perfect Antarctica cruise, which includes all of the elements you’re looking for in your trip.

The remoteness of Antarctica can sometimes deter the adventurous heart, but unlike the famous explorers of the past, you can leave the ration packs at home as Chimu can provide all the modern comfort and luxuries you need after a day of adventure, in a safe and comfortable environment. Quiet, relaxing cabins, beautiful food and wine, and spacious common areas allow you to soak in the picturesque landscapes at your own pace. When it’s time to venture off the vessel, our range of itineraries include activities to suit all abilities and fitness levels.

Food on board our cruise ships is excellent. Breakfasts and lunches tend to be buffet style, with dinners generally served to your table and featuring 3 and sometimes 4 courses. The range of food is diverse with professional chefs preparing a wide selection of gourmet dishes.

There is no native Antarctic language as there are no indigenous inhabitants. The majority of residents are linked to research stations and so speak the language of their home countries. Scientific research is generally formalized in English, with French where necessary.

There is no currency in Antarctica but the unit of currency in Argentina is the Argentinian Peso. The main currency at the Port Lockroy Post Office is the US $ although the UK £ and Euro € are also accepted. On all Antarctic cruises meals are included but drinks and souvenirs need to be purchased separately. Most cruise ships accept Euros € and US $. Major credit cards, in particular Visa and MasterCard are also widely accepted on board. If your Antarctic cruise includes the Falkland Islands, the currency of the islands is the Falkland Islands Pound (FK£), although UK £’s are accepted as well.

Whilst some of our Antarctic cruise ships boast a gym, sauna and small pools, this is rare and generally the majority have a lecture theatre, library, bar and restaurant, as well as the main deck. All ships offer a series of lectures focusing on the geology, history and wildlife of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, to help you prepare for what lies ahead. You can interact with the crew and expedition team as well as your fellow passengers in the common areas and either brave the elements to stand on deck taking in the spectacular scenery and wildlife-watching, scanning the horizon for whales, seals and seabirds, or do so from the comfort of the lounges and observation decks.

Shore landings are mainly for wildlife watching of penguins, seals and nesting birds although itineraries often try to include a visit to a scientific base. Certain cruises provide opportunities for activities such as snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, mountaineering and even overnight camping.

The number of people on board varies depending on the ship but the majority of our ships carry between 50 and 150 passengers. A few of the mega-yachts and purpose-built cruise ships carry around 250 passengers.